The day after the Oaks Christian School football coach tendered his resignation — a decision he said where he was left with no alternative — Benkert got his fondest wish Thursday night.

He met with a packed-house gathering of Lions players, parents and coaches at a burger diner about 10 miles from the Oaks Christian campus. It was precisely what he wasn’t able to do Wednesday when he cleaned out his office near the football locker room.

There were hugs, tears, smiles, laughs, confusion and, yes, discord among those who comprise large elements of the Lions’ program.

Benkert’s main message to the players: He didn’t leave because he wanted to do so.

“I love all of you,” he said. “I never wanted to be in this situation. I never wanted to be meeting with you this way, for the last time. I would never, ever leave you if didn’t have to make that choice.”

In a whirlwind 24 hours, Benkert said he resigned Wednesday after he was informed by school officials that forced changes were coming to his coaching staff. He also said that he had begun butting heads with administrators with weight-room agendas, practice schedules and the general operation of the football program.

All this just two months after Oaks Christian had finished 12-3 and won its first CIF-Southern Section championship in upper-level Division 2. In three seasons at Oaks Christian, Benkert’s teams finished 31-7 with three Marmonte League championships.

In 29 seasons in the area, including 26 at Westlake High, Benkert has amassed 257 coaching victories.

That reference to the famed Christmas movie? Benkert said he’s been literally blown away by the reactions of supporters in the wake of his resignation.

“I’m getting text messages from across the country,” he said. “I never knew that was out there, and I couldn’t be more appreciative. I’m been literally replying to messages non stop since this morning.”

Benkert's wife Joi was among the family members on hand Thursday night. The occasion also happened to be the Benkerts' 20th wedding anniversary.

"I told my wife we were going to P&L Burgers," Benkert said with a grin.

Nearly all Lions football players were in attendance, including the program's highest-profile stars.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, the standout defensive end and the top-ranked player in the recruiting Class of 2019, said there's a lot to digest.

"It's a lot to think about," he said. "We just won a championship. That's what we should be celebrating. Instead we're dealing with this. (Benkert's) had our butts covered the whole season. He's always there for us. He's our guy.

Josh Calvert, the starting quarterback/middle linebacker and Division 2 co-Defensive Player of the Year (with Thibodeaux), echoed those sentiments.

"It's crazy," he said softly. "We're pretty much a family and then this happens to us. I'm completely shocked. I never saw this coming. I need to think about everything."

By Wednesday afternoon, Oaks Christian administrators had moved forward.

The school issued a news release that thanked Benkert for his contributions for the past three years and "wish him well in his future endeavors."

In the same statement, former St. Louis Rams tight end Roland Williams was named the Director of Football Operations. It said the next head football coach would be announced "within the next several days."

Parents on hand Thursday night weren't so content to accept the school's actions. A petition was circulated that asked for the school to retain Benkert as head coach.

A segment of parents led by Ben Hall — the stepfather of running back Zach Charbonnet — delivered the petition to the school office Friday morning. The subsequent protest prompted a call for a police presence at the school.

A message to Head of School Rob Black asking for a response to the football situation had not been returned by noon Friday.

Tension was clearly in the air at Benkert's farewell meeting Thursday night,

"The minority of parents have made their point," Hall told parents. "Tonight, we have the majority of parents who are ready to make their point."

A letter drafted by parents that was included with the petition seemed to infer that Benkert had been undermined by dissenting parents within the program.

"The basis for not having faith in coach Benkert's leadership did not come from the majority of the parents," the letter stated. "Many of us have faith and confidence that coach Benkert has been building a program where kids do come first and that success breeds confidence and growth in our parents."

The letter added: "Please treat this letter and the signatures as our support of coach Benkert and the program he has build. It feels like there are undue influences at play here that are looking to tear at the heart of the what a true Christian school should pride themselves on."

Jason Farrell, the father of Lions standout wide receiver Bryce Farrell, said he attended Thursday's gathering to offer support for the head coach.

"This team had overachieved all season," he said. "We won a championship with a team that was largely juniors. But winning a championship is not the issue here. It's not what (Benkert) cares most about. He's making my son a better man, and that's what I'm happiest.

"I can't say (Benkert) is my friend. I don't know him very well. I know him as coach. But I do know what he's meant to the players, team and my son. He's made everything about the kids and that's what I appreciate."

Farrell said it's his belief that parents should not interfere in decisions made by coaches.

"The way I look at it, the tuition I pay to Oaks Christian is for my son's education," he said. "I'm looking for the best education he can get. I want him at the Stanford of Ventura County. Beyond that, sports is just a bonus. It's an extracurricular activity. As long as kids are being treated fairly, I won't interfere with the coach."